Safe.



3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Patented Apr. 2, |901.

P. NICOLLE.

SAFE.

(Application led July 7, 1900.)

(No Model.)

. Patented Apr. 2, |90l.. P. NICOLLE.

SAFE.

(Application led July 7, 1900.

3 Sheets-A-Sheet 3.

-(No Nudel.)

WI Massa-.E

Tu: nofws P:r:n s co. PMQTQLITHQ. wAsmumon. n, c.

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PHILIP NIOOLLE, OF TORONTO, CANADA.

SAFE.

SPECIFICATION forming para of Letters Patent No. 671,424, dated Aprii 2, 190i.

Application filed July '7, 1900. Serial No. 22,814. (No model.)

T all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, PHILIP NICOLLE, a subject of Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain, residingin the city of Toronto, county of York, and Province of Ontario, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Burglar-Proof Bank-Safe Receptacles, (for which Ihave applied for a patent in Canada, iiled December 7, 1899, Serial No. S8,224,) of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates particularly to improvements in a burglar proof receptacle for bank-safes; and it consists of a number of metal cases inserted one within the other and having suitable surrounding air-spaces between the walls of said cases and the inner case of said case, adapted for the reception of the bank-safe. Between the walls of said cases and within the surrounding airspace of (preferably) the inner case is a gascase encompassing the inner case, with the exception of the top. Illuminating or other gas is supplied to the gas-case in the ordinary way and intercepted by a meter which is located in a convenient and conspicuous place, preferably in the managers ofiice. The object of the meter is to indicate an escape of gas from the gas-case caused by a rupture in the same, and in addition to which is a soundconduit connecting the space containing the gas-case with the managers oice. Through this the escaping gas will pass and be detected by the odor. by operating on or within the cases will be readily detected by applying the ear to thel same.

The bank-safe receptacle is located, preferably, in the corner of the bank building formed by the angle of the walls facing on the public thoroughfare and incased in heavy masonry below the bank-floor. An apartment above the bank-safe receptacle and on a level with the bank-door is isolated from the bank by walls supported on the aforesaid masonry and has but one entrance, opening into the managers office.

The walls of the apartment-that is, above the bank-safe receptaclefacing on the public thoroughfare contain large plate-glass windows, thereby permitting the public to have Furthermore, any noise made 'is customary, after banking hours.

a full View of the interior, and to further draw attention one of the opposite walls of the interior contains a large mirror and also a timepiece or any other suitable attraction. The iioor of the apartment is formed by the top plate or cover of thel bank-safe receptacle. In the center is an opening corresponding in size to the inner case and adapted for the reception of the bank-safe. The safe employed may be similar to an ordinary safe with one exception and may or may not be burglar-proof. The false or enlarged top is slightly greater in superficial area than the opening in the case or receptacle into which the safe is inserted, extending over the angular recess of the inner periphery of the opening in the top plate and entering the said recess, sinking flush with the top plate when down and in place. Sliding bolts located in the upper portion of the receptacle support the safe when elevated, while vertical guides p support the 'safe when in motion.

To raise and lower the safe, I employ a cable running over sheaveepulleys supported on a beam located in the upper part of the apartment and terminating, preferably, in the basement of the bank building and connected with a winding-drum actuated by any suitable motive power. The ends of the cable, preferably the branches connecting with the safe, are so constructed as to be readily detached when not in use, permitting of conveniently removing the same.

During banking hours the safe is in its elevated position, when access to the interior can be had, and after banking hours the safe is lowered within the receptacle, and thereby proof against access to the interior. The apartment above the safe is illuminated, as In this instance the illu minant is placed upon the top of the safe for the purpose of illuminating an attractive sign containing something descriptive and of public interest.

Figure l is a central cross-sectional view of my improved burglar-proof bank-safe receptacle on the line A to B of the following gure. Fig. 2 is a plan View in partial section. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the interior of the bank building, showing the location of the bank-safe receptacle and arrangement of the IOO Vss

office, apartment, dac.; and Fig. 4 is a diminutive view showing the means employed to raise and lower the safe.

The material used in constructing the banksafe receptacle is similar 4to that used in constructing vaults, safes, &c., and the manner of forming the several parts is also similar in as far as the design will permit. When located in the corner of the bank building' formed by the angle of the walls W2, as shown in Fig. 3, it is only necessary to construct Walls W on the two remaining sides of the outer case A, including a suitable foundation A', to inclose all but the top of the saine within masonry. Upon the walls W are constructed the walls N3, which isolate from and form an apartment in the bank building above the receptacle and has but one entrance, which opens into the managers office E and is closed by an iron protected door cl, in which and at a convenient height is a small window d' for the purpose of inspecting the interior when the door is closed. The portions of the walls W2 which inclose the apartment N4 contain large windows O2, the sill O3 of which is as near the sidewalk O4 as is consistent with safety. Opposite one of the windows O2 and on the interior of one of the apartment-walls N3 is a mirror N5 and also a timepiece N6, which may be on either of the opposite Walls N3.

Within the outer case A and surrounded by the air-space A2 is the intermediate case D, resting on chairs B at its base and supported at the top by T-shaped guides C, secured to the outer case A, and-guides D', se-

cured to the case D. The object of the guides and chairs is to allow of the case D being inserted within the case A and supported therein.

Within the intermediate case D and surrounding the inner case G, with the exception of the top, is the gas-case F, for the purpose hereinbefore described. Connecting the airspace containing the gas-case F with the exterior is the sound-conduit P, which terminates, preferably, in the managers office. In the portion of the sound-cond uit P that passes through the air-space A2 there is an opening PP on the under side, connecting also the said air-space with the exterior. The gas-supply pipe QQ connecting with the gas-case F, passes, preferably, through the conduit P, a shown.

To support the inner case G and maintain the desired air-space on either side of the gascase F, spacingpieces G2 and GS, located, preferably, in the lower corners, are used, and that portion G4 of the gas-case F covered by the said spacing-.pieces is formed solid, as shown.

Resting on the top of the three cases A, D, and G and held secure by bolts is the top plate N, and to further insure against removing the same double angle-iron N2 is secured to the periphery of the top plate N and built within masonry. In the center is the opening adapted for the reception of the bank-safe H and corresponding` in size to the interior of the inner case.

Secured to the interior walls of the inner case G are vertical guides'R, and secured to the sides ofthe safeHare corresponding guidepieces R for the purpose of supporting the safe vertically. To receive the safe when down and somewhat cushion and prevent the same coming in contact with the bottom of the inner case Gwooden supports G are interposed, as shown, and to support the safe when upthat is,when access to the interior can be hadsliding bolts S, located in the top plate N, are forced forward by inserting a lever in the slot V and fulcrumed in the opening T of the top plate N. Secured to the sides of the safe H are catches R2, which rest on the bolts S when the latter are forced forward and support the safe H in its elevated position. To prevent the boltsS from-moving from under the catches R2, a downwardly-projecting portion of theY corresponding recess in the greater in superficial area than the openinginto which it enters-namely, the inner case. The projecting portion K' of the enlarged top enters the angular recess K2 of the top plate N, sinking ush with the same, and thereby preventing all access to the interior when the safe is down.

The means employed to raise and lower the safe H consist of a cable H3, operating over sheave-pulleys H4 and H5, supported in a beam or iron girder K in the upper part of the apartment, having one end secured to a winding-drum H6, located, preferably, inthe basement of the building and actuated by some suitable motive power and the opposite end terminating in branches H2 and secured by hooks to the fixed eyes H on the top of the safe H.

' Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In aburglar-proof bank-safe receptacle, the combination with a plurality of cases one within the other and separated by intervening air-spaces inclosed by a top common to all, of a gas-case contained within the intervening air-space adjacent to and encompassing the inner case, the intervening air-space surrounding said gas case communicative with the exterior, and the inner case of said receptacle adapted for the ingress and egress of the bank-safe, substantially for the purpose hereinbefore set forth.

` 2. In a burglar-proof bank-safe receptacle, the combination, with a plurality of cases one within the other and separated by intervening air-spaces inclosed by a top secured to said cases, of a gas-case inclosed by said cases and surrounding the inner case of said cases with the exception of the top, a sound-conduit connecting the air-space containing the said gas-case with the exterior, the inner case IIO of said cases adapted for the reception of the bank-safe, and means for raising and lowering said safe, substantially as shown and described.

3. In a burglarproof bank-safe receptacle, the combination of a plurality of eases inelosed Within the outer ease of said cases and separated by intervening air-spaces, a top secured to said cases and inclosing said airspaoes, a gas-ease contained in the air-space surrounding the inner ease of said cases and encompassing the said inner oase With the eX- eeption of the top, a sound-conduit connecting the air-space containing said gas-oase with the exterior, an opening into said conduit connecting the air-spaceinolosed by the PHILIP NICOLLE.

Witnesses:

CLoTrLDE ODONNELL, FRANK R. BRQWN. 

